Comfortable Red Star see off Castlemilk BC
IT WAS a comfortable victory for the home side in their first game at the Ropework since November as they took on Castlemilk.
Although the pitch was quite soft on Saturday, Argyll and Bute Council ground staff did a great job creating a slick passing surface that both teams would enjoy.
Red Star looked to get on the front foot early and put their visitors under pressure and were doing so with Rab Docherty and Kieran Moore harrying the Castlemilk defenders at every opportunity.
Star were beginning to get their own passing game going and were creating some good chances, Kieran Moore volleying a Colin Weir cross just wide of the post before Docherty had an effort from the edge of the box which just sailed over.
The scoring was opened after 12 minutes when Kieran Moore found himself on the edge of a Lee MacLean through ball and was able to dink the ball over the keeper from eight yards to put Star 1-0 up. Star continued to press and were having some joy down the flanks as fullbacks Connor Crawford and Andy Weir looked to join the attack where possible.
The second goal came after half an hour when a nice move down the right saw Ciaran MacPhie and Andy Weir link up before crossing the ball to the back post where Aaron Moore was well placed to head home and give Star a 2-0 lead at the break.
Manager Dougie Moore asked his side to remain on the front foot in the second half and the team did so, and, though Castlemilk tried to force a way back into the game, it was a reasonably comfortable afternoon for centre-backs Luke Naisby and Ali Provan.
The match was sealed as a contest on the hour mark when Star were awarded a free kick 22 yards out after a rash Castlemilk challenge. The kick was taken by Kieran Moore who curled a superb effort into the top corner, leaving the keeper with no chance.
The visitors didn’t lie down, and looked to force a way back into the game. They were awarded a dubious penalty when the referee penalised Luke Naisby, though the Star defender appeared to play the ball. The hosts breathed a sigh of relief as the forward stepped up and saw his effort sail over Kalache’s bar.
Castlemilk did get on the scoresheet with 15 minutes left when a corner was met by the number eight who headed home from close range as Star yet again conceded from a set piece.
The threegoal cushion was restored for the hosts almost straight from the kick-off. This time a surging run was brought to an abrupt end as Aaron Moore was felled in the box. Up stepped younger brother Kieran to complete his hat-trick to secure a 41 win and edge himself close to Rab Docherty in the golden boot race.
Red Star still retain an outside chance of promotion and will look to keep the pressure on the teams above them when they take on Broomhill AFC tomorrow, Saturday, at home. The game kicks off at 2pm.